Floor cleansing device



Feb. 11, 1964 R. BALLANTYNE FLOOR CLEANSING DEVICE Filed March 30, 1962 In ve ni'or' ATTORNEY United States This invention relates generally to floor covering cleansing devices and specifically to a new and improved method and means of dispensing the cleansing agent on the material to be cleansed to facilitate the brush action in the cleansing device.

This application relates to and is an improvement on my co-pending applications, Serial Number 134,596, filed August 27, 1961, for Improved Floor Cleansing Device, now Patent No. 3,108,312, and Serial Number 164,348, filed January 4, 1962, for Improved Floor Cleansing Device. In my earlier co-pending application, I disclosed the unique principle in a floor cleansing device of converting the detergent material to suds or foam prior to application to the floor covering. By only applying foam to the material to be cleansed, the material remains comparatively dry thereby removing the danger of shrinkage and rapid subsequent soiling. Also, a uniform application of cleanser is applied and only the detergent that is used is dispensed.

To utilize this basic principle, I have disclosed in my earlier co-pending application apparatus that generally comprises a detergent storage tank, a pump means for converting the detergent to foam and a foam applicator. The pump means is actuated by the movement of the floor contacting mechanism.

In my second filed co-pending application I have disclosed a method and means of incorporating the pump mechanism directly into the handle of the cleansing device. In this way there is eliminated the necessity of driving the pump with the movement of the wheels on the floor activator. Consequently, the linking mechanisms and its other attendant mechanical movements are not required and the only force necessary to be exerted is that of imparting the brush action directly to the floor.

In my last filed co-pending application the floor cleansing device, utilizing the foam principle of my prior inventions, is made more readily adaptable to the operation dispersing laterally the foam generated prior to its application to the floor covering. The operation is further facilitated when the foam applied to the floor covering is rolled or spread into the piles or surface.

Although the system disclosed in my co-pending applications is fully operable and will readily adapt itself, I have now found the apparatus for converting the detergent to foam can be greatly simplified and improved upon. In my present invention I have provided a new and improved air injection means for improving upon the apparatus and operation of the foam generating devices disclosed in my co-pending applications.

Accordingly, it is a general object of my present invention to provide a new and improved floor cleansing device that utilizes the basic principle of applying only detergent foam to the material to be cleansed.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a floor cleansing device with an improved air injection mechanism to generate the foam prior to its application to the floor covering.

It is another object of my invention to provide a cleansing device that more efliciently applies the generated foam to the floor covering.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a floor cleansing device that is extremely rugged and yet simple in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and features of the present invention will atent "ice become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which,

FIG. 1 is an over-all illustration partly cut away of a preferred embodiment of my invention,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the foam applicating mechanism for the foam generator shown generally in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a bellows type arrangement for the foam generator of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 illustrates the valve structure of the foam generator shown generally in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates the fluid valve mechanism of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a foam dispersal unit for use in a preferred embodiment, and

FIG. 7 are alternative nozzles that may be incorporated in the pump mechanism of FIG. 6.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, there is shown in perspective a preferred embodiment of my present invention. The embodiment comprises a handle generally shown at 15 having supported thereon a liquid detergent storage tank 20, a pump mechanism 40, the fluid valve mechanism 50 for converting the detergent to foam and an applicator 30 for applying the foam to the floor covering or other material desired to be cleansed.

In operation of my present invention when the mechanism is pushed forward the manual force causes the gripping portion 10 of the handle 15 to telescope and thereby acting as a pump for the foam generator 20. The generated foam is then dispersed to the floor covering, by the dispersing mechanism.

In operation of the mechanisms of the preferred embodiment of my present invention shown in FIG. 1, as distinguished from the mechanism of my prior disclosed inventions, I have provided a bellows type of air generator to take the place of the plunger type of mechanism. Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 3, rod 8 is attached to the upper part 16 of handle 15. When the handle 15 is pushed in, the bellows 7 is collapsed. When this occurs, valve 12 is opened and valve 11 is closed. This valve action forces air into the compression chamber 13. When the handle portion 16 is returned to its normal position, valve 12 is closed and valve 11 is opened, permitting the bellows 7 to become filled with air again. Referring for the moment to FIG. 4, there is shown in detail the construction of valves 11 and 12. The valve 12 secured to the bulkhead 9 (of FIG. 3) comprises a disc like member 14 with a plurality of small holes 16 spaced evenly around a center point 15. A flexible rubber disc 17 is fixed in a central position on the lower side of valve 14.

In operation of this valve mechanism of FIGS. 3 and 4, when air is expelled from bellows 7, the air pressure will push the rubber disc away from the holes 15 at the valve 12 at the bottom of the bellows 7 and against the holes 15 at the top of the valve 11 of the bellows 7. This action permits air to escape at the bottom of the bellows 7 into the compression chamber 13 and to prevent the escape of air at the top. On the return stroke of the handle 16 and hence the bellows 7, the reverse action of the valves 11 and 12 will take place.

With reference now to FIG. 5 there is shown the fluid valve mechanism 50 of FIG. 1. When air is forced into chamber 13 as mentioned, the rubber diaphragm 20 is depressed when the pressure exceeds the counter force of the spring 23. Rod 22 secured to the upper end of the spring 23, and following the motion of spring 23, is lowered. When the rod 22 is lowered, the liquid stop mechanism 24 fastened to its lower end will drop to a position wherein the groove 24a will register with the openings 26 and 27 in the tube 28. The openings 26 and 27 are supported by means 39 and 31 fastened to housing 21 by hangers 33 and 35. When the groove 24a registers with openings 26 and 27, there is permitted a continuous flow of fluid through the tube 28 and thence to the spray nozzle. When the air pressure is relieved from chamber 13, the diaphragm 20, the spring 23, the rod 22 and the stop 24 will all return to their original position and consequently cut off the liquid flow.

Referring to FIG. 7, there are shown three alternative nozzles that may be adapted to the principle of the present invention. In the nozzle of 41, the air passing in chamber 4 is forced around the fluid tube by the flanged orifice 51. In the nozzle 42, the air in chamber 4 is forced into a small hole 45 in the tube 28, mixes with the liquid and is emitted from the nozzle 46. In the nozzle of 43, the fluid tube 28 is outside of the chamber 4. The aperture 47 permits the air to pass over the fluid coming out of the end of tube 23. In each of these three embodiments, the forced air is mixed with the liquid detergent causing a fine spraying action.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the foam chamber 3 is flared out transversely to permit an even foam distribution on the material to be cleaned, as described in my copending application. In the present invention I further provide a distributor plate 6 with a series of apertures therein. Since it would be the natural flow of the foam to be concentrated in the middle, the apertures 6a6n in the plate 6 increase in size toward the two ends. Finally, to assure an even distribution of foam and to prevent foam build-up, there are further provided flanges 5 and 5a on opposite sides of the base 52. These flanges force the foam, on build-up, to return under the base 52 and hence into the brushes 53 and 54 in contact with the material to be cleaned 60.

Although I have shown only certain specific embodiments, modifications may be had without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, the bellows 7 is illustrated as the conventional accordion type; however, a coil spring rubber hose type of bellows could readily be substituted therefor.

What I claim is:

1. A floor cleansing device comprising a frame member carrying work contacting means, a liquid detergent storage tank, an air actuating mechanism comprising an air cylinder including a compressible section, an inlet air valve positioned at one end of said compressible section of said cylinder and an outlet air valve means positioned at the other end of said compressible section of said cylinder; a handle for compressing said air cylinder compressible section, said handle having a first member with one end connected to said frame and a second member adapted to receive at its first end the other end of said first member, a cap at the other end of said second member, means connecting said cap to said compressible section, and a spring positioned Within said first and second members for normally yieldingly urging said members apart; mixing means for mixing air and detergent, chamber means communicating with said air outlet means and said liquid storage tank for introducing air into said chamber to force air and liquid detergent toqsaid mixing means for conversion to foam; distributing means communicating said mixing means with said work contacting means; said handle operative to compress said spring and said cylinder compressible section on forward movement of the device and to return said cylinder to its original position upon return movement of said handle and thereby introduce air thereto through said inlet air valve.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said distributing means comprises bafiie means defining passage means therebetween so as to assure even distribution of said foam to all parts of said work contacting means.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the size of said passage means increases with the distance from the center of said distributing means.

4. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said communication means between said air chamber and said detergent comprises a tube having a portion thereof removed, a stop snugly positioned between the open ends of the removed portion of said tube, means for re leasing said stop and permitting continuous passage between said open ends, and means responsive to the air pressure in said air chamber for actuating said release means.

5. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said communication means between said air chamber and said detergent comprises a tube having a portion thereof removed, a stop snugly positioned between the open ends of the removed portion of said tube, a spring like means and a rod connecting the upper end of said spring to said stop, a diaphragm positioned above and in contact with said spring, said diaphragm also in communication with said air chamber and responsive to the air pressure in said chamber for actuating said spring to release stop to permit continuous passage between said ends of said tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,779,316 Holtje Oct. 21, 1930 2,537,784 Nord Ian. 9, 1951 2,785,425 Lenk Mar. 19, 1957 3,079,285 Rockwell Feb. 26, 1963 3,094,737 Baar et a1 June 25, 1963 3,104,413 Nelson Sept. 24, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 330,744 France July 7, 1903 774,274 France Sept. 17, 1934 

1. A FLOOR CLEANSING DEVICE COMPRISING A FRAME MEMBER CARRYING WORK CONTACTING MEANS, A LIQUID DETERGENT STORAGE TANK, AN AIR ACTUATING MECHANISM COMPRISING AN AIR CYLINDER INCLUDING A COMPRESSIBLE SECTION, AN INLET AIR VALVE POSITIONED AT ONE END OF SAID COMPRESSIBLE SECTION OF SAID CYLINDER AND AN OUTLET AIR VALVE MEANS POSITIONED AT THE OTHER END OF SAID COMPRESSIBLE SECTION OF SAID CYLINDER; A HANDLE FOR COMPRESSING SAID AIR CYLINDER COMPRESSIBLE SECTION, SAID HANDLE HAVING A FIRST MEMBER WITH ONE END CONNECTED TO SAID FRAME AND A SECOND MEMBER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AT ITS FIRST END THE OTHER END OF SAID FIRST MEMBER, A CAP AT THE OTHER END OF SAID SECOND MEMBER, MEANS CONNECTING SAID CAP TO SAID COMPRESSIBLE SECTION, AND A SPRING POSITIONED WITHIN SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS FOR 